A beautifully poetic meditation on race, history, and parenthood. Renee Watson is brilliantly unafraid, and the reward of that fearlessness is on these pages.”—JACQUELINE WOODSON, National Book Award winner
“A refreshing read, this lyrical story of love and loss is spiritually rejuvenating. Renee Watson’s writing is divine.”—KWAME ALEXANDER, author of WHY FATHERS CRY AT NIGHT
“A compelling portrait of personal struggles, self-love, and the journey of healing; an indelible testament to the power of family, friendship, and community; a touching love letter to and trenchant critique of one of the whitest cities in America. It’s a dexterous and evocative gift of a novel.”—MITCHELL S. JACKSON, author of THE RESIDUE YEARS
"A soulful novel that elegantly laces personal and cultural history through the eyes of a larger-than-life Black woman whose responsibilities to herself and those around her push and pull, shrink and expand. It's the kind of work that exposes matters of the heart with softness and guidance instead of melodrama and pedantry."—MORGAN JERKINS, New York Times bestselling author of THIS WILL BE MY UNDOING
“Evocative, beautifully written story of friendship, self-love, and community that has captured my heart and dug into my bones.”—LATOYA WATKINS, author of HOLLER, CHILD, longlisted for National Book Award
"Powerful story where each character shines with the divinity and humanity of Black love. An unforgettable reckoning that defies the boundaries and fears that attempt to constrict Black women's bodies and lives. Wise, real, and wondrous, Watson's genius carries our history––past, present, and future––with formidable grace and courage."—RACHEL ELIZA GRIFFITHS, author of PROMISE
“Watson's writing shines in short chapters, some reading as poetry, as she weaves Portland's Black history into a story that contends with the legacy of trauma as well as the beauty of inheritance. An extremely engaging and lovingly written novel, with a heroine to root for—there's nothing not to like.”—BOOKLIST
“Watson is adept at negotiating the complicated terrain of family, friends, and romantic partnership as they intersect with racism. As Watson weaves bits of history into the narrative, Lena sees herself in the Black people who chose to settle in the whitest city in America—a city that is white by design—and looks to them to teach her how to live in a world not made for her. Both tender and unflinching.”—KIRKUS REVIEW
“Complex, wrenching exploration of fatness, identity, and generational trauma. Lena's journey is at once a love letter to and an indictment of Portland–and America’s–past and present. Renee Watson's novel belongs here, and everywhere it chooses to go.”—AUBREY GORDON, author of YOU JUST NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT
“Lyrical and poetic…For anyone intrigued by stories that highlight experiences with race, gender, self-love, family and friendship, skin & bones will resonate in more ways than one.”—Chika Gujarathi, BOOKPAGE
skin & bones skillfully examines sisterhood, motherhood, faith, and love.—LYNNETTE NICHOLAS, ESSENCE
“YA author Watson makes her adult debut with a heartfelt…exploration of a Black woman’s reckoning with her identity and self-image. Watson widens the story’s scope with lyrical prose: 'We are the splinter festering in the heart of this city, not easily removed.' Readers will be glad to know Watson’s defiant and loving protagonist.”—PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY
“skin & bones is a beautiful novel and a brilliant work of art. Renée Watson's unique style and rich prose delivers keen insight that turns ordinary women into extraordinary heroines. And in fact, Lena, the heroine of this book wants nothing more than to be ordinary—to have ordinary happiness, to be able to shop in ordinary stores, and sit in ordinary seats. But, having a larger body makes the "ordinary" a harrowing goal, one worth journeying for through the challenging terrain of other people's perceptions, opinions, and prejudices. She must find a love, both for herself and shared with a partner, that is worthy of modeling for her precocious daughter Aaliyah who is learning through every bit of Lena's example, both good and bad. After reading skin & bones, I had no choice but to see the world differently and hold more compassion for myself and others. This is a wonderful book that should be a "must-read" for all lovers of fiction, we have been delivered a treat!”—JAYNE ALLEN, bestselling author of BLACK GIRLS MUST DIE EXHAUSTED
Renée Watson turns her sharp introspection and heart to the story of Lena, a 40-year-old Black woman who is on the threshold of a dream wedding and a successful career. Narrator Zenzi Williams provides a steady, assured internal voice for Lena. Lena's aspirations for body acceptance are at war with her struggle to be herself; this conflict is manifested in devastating episodes with her young daughter. Deft intonations sketch the characters and their emotions as Williams captures the rhythms of the lyrical passages throughout the narrative. Keen insights on racism in beauty standards, stressful work environments, and the evolution of Portland, Oregon, are woven into this deeply intimate story about personal growth. S.T.C. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
